An action group has targeted Fonterra over its new coal mine with a protest in Waikato.
Fonterra's subsidiary Glencoal Energy has been given consent to establish a new mine at Mangatawhiri to replace an existing open cast mine nearby. Coal from the 30 hectare mine will power three nearby dairy plants.
The Auckland Coal Action group organised a protest on Monday attended by Green Party mining spokesperson Catherine Delahunty and about 30 others.
Ms Delahunty says Fonterra's use of coal is disappointing as there are other choices.
"We're here to say to Fonterra 'it is time that you as a well resourced company modernised and committed yourself to clean energy."
Fonterra was praised by the Sri Lankan government earlier this year for opening a solar-powered milk chilling centre in the country.
It said the plant demonstrated Fonterra's commitment to Sri Lanka's drive towards sustainable milk production.
In Australia this year, Fonterra spent millions of dollars upgrading its cheese vats at its Wynard dairy plant in Tasmania to make them more environmentally friendly.
